Machine for separating solids from liquids.



F. K. & E. FQ ATKINS.

MACHINE FOR SAEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS. APPLICATION FILED JAN.21.1907.

w 901,056. Patented oct. 13, 1908.

` 4 I y n .I I. gyn/mantova witwassen: I WMZ @'f'" F. K. a F. ATKINS.

MACHINE. FORVSEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS.

v APPLICATION FILED JAN.21,1907.

Patented oct. 13;'1908.

I 5 SHEETS-SHEBT 4. i

- F. K. & E. F. ATKINS. MACHINE POR SEPARATING soLIDs FROM LIQUIDS. APPLIUATION lILED .TAN.21.19075 Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

@my @4m trifugal force, in such manner as to have4 scoured the gold on lts upwardp'assage to the CTX.

"' 'narran Nsrrrrirs PATENT orricr..

FRANK K. ATKINSIAND EARL F. ATKINS, OF DENVER, COLORADO; SAID EARLv F. ATKINS ASSIGNOR TO SAID FRANK K. ATKINS.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Oct. 13, 1908-.

Application filed January 1907. i ScrialNo; 353,269.

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK K.l ATKINS and EARL F. A'ririNs, both citizens of they yllnited States, residing in the city and countyV of Denver and State of Colorado, have in'-4 vented certain new and useful Improvements 'in lVIachine'sI for Separating Solids from Liquids; and We do ,declare the following to be a full',` clear, and exact description of the invention', such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figuresof reference marked thereon, which forni a part of this specification.

The invention relates to the separating of free gold from its .ores by means of lspreading gold bearing sand or crushed ore in a thin sheet over variably retarding curved sheeting surfaces, alternatedl with grooves con.-l

taining liquid mercury, Vby means of cenmercury zone, thereby obtaining laI higher per p cent. of saving of the amorphous or u'narnal ganiable-(ru'sty) gold.l Its further objects are to su-bmerge and `saye the float gold, to free by attrition the iine particles of gold from the cement', sands and arnet; to avoid the loss of themercury by 'ouringf to render' the operation cheap, rapid-and thorough in the separationof the gold from the sands, also to greatly facilitate making cleanfups with or without the use of Water. lt is effectual in saving the values in connection with water and also especially adapted for recovering the 4gold dry.

The machine without press, with less.annoyance in making clean-` ups and yields a cleaner saving' of values.-

2. The'extraction ofall foreign substances from water or the perfect extraction of solids from liquids where the specific gravities vary. Among its most' valuable uses under this head are the extraction of the sand and slimes from the cyanid gold bearing solution' employing mercury vmay be put to other uses, amongwhich are 'feed tube.

in cyanidation; the pulp from the gold bearing solution'in chlorinationV and the ground ores or pulp from the solution carrying copper values `in lixiviatio'n, dispensing in each case` with the annoyance and delays froml clogging in leaching by gravity under the methods heretofore .in vogue.

3. To collect the slimes' which pass 0H at the vrear end of the tables in concentration, carrying float gold, lead, zinc, iron and copper sul ds also gray copper, together' with 'their gold and silver accompanlment, all of which having particles of airv in their curves Aand cells, either float upon the Water or are held 1n suspension-and washed away. The

values vso recovered are of course in the slime concentrates.

4. When ,lined with clay to recover in af concentrated form the precious metal values 1n the molten slag'as drawn from the smelter lfurnace that have heretofore gone4 into the dum accompanying drawings. l I

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section embodying one form of our invention. Fig'.

2 is a section of a part of the bowl showing a modified form of construction. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing still another modifica'- tion. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the amalgamator, partly in section, showing a casing and several other modifications. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a centrifugal separator showing another form of constructionv including a bottom discharge. Fig. 6 is a section of a part of the bowl modified to show an inside shell of glass or other suitable material for use under certain conditions asv hereinaftersct forth. l Fig. 7 is an illustration of a blade or scraper attached to the beam and used to dislodge the solids from the grooves, the machine revolving at slow To illustrate the machine we refer to the esv speed, in cleaning up a charge. Fig. 8 is a vthan the bowl, being operated'by gearing and pinions as shown.

ity of the'construction shown 1n Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a sectional View showing a form of the constructionin which the shaft is.

omitted. Fig. 11 is`a fragmentary view of the shaft provided withA a modified form of Fig. 9 is a View partly in section showing the upper extrem- ,bell numeral 2 indicates the shaft;

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views. 1

llhe reference numeral 1 indicates the bowl of the machine shaped like an inverted In Figs. in step-box 3, and is box 4 and operated by pulley In Figs. 4 and 5 that "part of theshaft above the bottom of the bowl is made hollow and used as a feeder, the ore being discharged into the bowl through slots 6. v

7 in Figs. 4 and 5 is a sleeve around the shaft secured to it by a set screw, used to regulate'the discharge.

In the sides of the bowl are circumferential grooves and rifiies 10, represents the varie ably curved sheeting surfaces. In Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 7 or where the construction is used as an amalgamator, the grooves are designated 8, while in Figs. 3 and 6 where the construction is used as a centrifugal separator, the grooves are designated 50. The riiies are designated 9 in all the forms of construction.

' Numerals 11, 12, 25, 26, 27 and 28 represent devices for supplying the compressed air or water to the interior walls of the bowl. 11 is a stationary pipe through which the air is admitted, connecting with box 25.

26 is a hollow tube within the hollow shaft, screwedinto the cone of the shaft in such a manner as to revolve with the bowl, having van air tight connection at the top of said tube with box 25.

27 represents a hollow space in the shaft from the lower end of the tube horizontally, thence vertically, conducting the air or water as the case may be to pipes 2S, said ipes being secured to the shaft revolving tiierewith.

12 are valves to controi the jets.

hen used wet the jets of water produce their rifHes rising upwardly over the sheeting surfaces, similar to the riffles of Water over the amalgam plates by gravity as flushed out by the splash'from thestamps.

. 13 represents a lipto cause the sand to fall upon the surface of the mercury in the groove, it being found in practice that when the sand is permitted to strike the mercury upon the edge it causes the mercurypto become fouled or muddied which retards amalgamation, but when the lip is used no such unfavorable results are present.

14 represents the casing or housing which receives the waste material when used as an -amalgamator and the liquids when as aseparator. This may be made -in halves, secured together by iianges, bolts and nuts and the flanged joints packed to prevent -the dustv tube 31 surrounds the shaft, isv

eoiae from escaping when handling dry ores or the water, when used wet. Or it may be made of sections riveted together.

15 is a box in the casing, packed with shee skin having the wool thereon, the woolP being placed in contact with the shaft to prevent the dust from passing to the stepbox.

16 is a hand-plate or man hole plate, which when removed, allows accessto the interior of the casing for removing the amalgam, ete. -17 is a pipe connected with the casing to which a suction fan may be attached and through which the dust may be drawn oil when handling dry ores; 1S thel discharge orifices for carrying off the waste material or the liquids as the case may be from the casing; 19 a plug or device which when removed permits the drawing off of the amalgam from the bowl when at rest; 2() stay rods to support the casing; 21. hopper cons taining the auriferous sand or ores screened and ready for treatment; 22 pins or lugs securing the bowl to the shaft.

23 is a deflector which may be made in one piece, having a flange at the bottom by which it may be secured by bolts and nuts to a similar flange in the casing.

24 is a tight fitting sleeve, secured to the shaft having a cup-like device at the top to collect the oil escaping from box 4, thereby preventing it from flowing down the shaft and fouling the mercury. A similar sleeve and device may be attached to tube 26 below box 25.

29 is an oil cup and device for lubricating step box 3.

30 represents the mercury in the groove.

ln Fig. 5 the shaft rests upon ball bearing boxes 33; and the lower portion of the shaft is made hollow so as to permit the discharge of the gangue or solids through it in cleaning up a charge. ln all cases when used for clarifying water or removing solids from solutions the grooves or receptacles should be given ample capacity. lV hen 'the grooves are filled with solids represented by numeral 49, the speed is cut down by means of a frietion clutch or brake 34 applied to the shaft by means of a lever. To stationary beam 35 above the bowl there is attached a scraper or blade 36 th1s may be raised or lowered by' means of a ratchet 39, and moved horizontallybylever 44 attached to said beam. When the bowl shall have attained a sulliciently slow speed the blade is applied to the 'solid material, dislodging it from the groove,

allowing it to fall to the bottom of the bowl. The grooves may be further cleaned by a brush or broom or water applied by means ofV a hose.

Numeral 37 represents a stopper of ball or conical shape having attached to it a vertical rod 45 this rod extends downwards through spider 47 and is surrounded by spiral spring larlyas a clarifier;of=sedimentarys romits socket in the shaft by means of le-l jver 38; a lead gasket 51 should be used be,- tween this stopperand the shaft-as a further preventive against leakage. Whenl the stopper shall have been'lifte'drwater is ap,- pliedy to the ore inthe bowlby means of a hose and nozzle and ,it is sluiced out thus clearing'the machine and making ready for another. charge.

Referring to Fig. 8 the upper and lower sections 40 are attached to the shaft.

Numeral 41 represents that portion. ofl the box or device which has free play and may 'travel at aug'reaterv or less speedthan the.

shaft 42 the regulated. y

The receptacles may be one or morein number; the side walls of the bowl may be at any inclination, inclining, however, outwardly from` the bottom to the top; the sheeting surfaces maybe given any variable curve; the receptacles may be of any size and shape; the machine mustl be perfectly balanced and the boxes in perfect condition soas to permit it to revolve'as smoothly as a spinning top. Any vibration will cause the mercury to be jarred from, the grooves. The bowl. and shaft maybe made-in one' castgearing'by which the speed vis (lt is found in order to obtain the4 proper spreading of the sand in a` thin layer, the s eeting surfaces must besmooth and wholly -free from tool marks, horizontal or vertical.

To obtain this result the inner surface of the bowl should be polished or enameled.; the

enameling may be' buta thin coating'overthe metal surface or of glass or other suitable material, of considerable thickness, or it may be an inside shell of glass, orany' suitable composition, as shown by numeral43 in Fig.

6. This shell when wornmay be removed and replacedby another.

VIn cases where the chemicals in solution are suchiasj toattack the'metal, an enamel of lass or otherl material that willnot be so afected should-be used, 'cra glass bowl, substif'v tuted.' When a 'centrifugal machine is` used :as a

separator of y.solids andE liquids, for particu-4 utions,

l receiyi'ng and dischargin an continuous flow unltil the grooves- 'aref' separation, and. if, not vovercome result in a cloudy or, foul; solution discharged at. the rim due tothe fact'P that the material fedf inis ``at rest.` and comes in `contact. withV they bowi" walls', necessarily," revolving at! I moderately edwith solids. asis zhereinjcontemplated,two obstacles 4are present that seriouslynmilitate against successful` hiu'h speed, and in further contact with other material r to which the rotary motion has only been partially imparted. The centrifugal force almost instantly overcomes the air buoyancy when the material. is free from agitation; In order tot, overcome the agitaof rifles, variably curvedsurfaces whose radii continuously expand from the bottom toward the top, the saidI surfaces being'lo- Vcated below the riflles or below and between the grooves and in proximity thereto, whereby the movement of the sheet of material under treatment is first retarded and then acceleratedin its upward travel just before reaching the riflles, whereby there is impart-y ed thereto approximat'ely'l the full `rotary speed of the bowl. beforel reaching the uppermost rifHe, 'resulting-nin a discharge point.

he term variably curved vasused in the specificationand claims, refers to the-curvature below and in proximityto the rifiies, ,whereby the sheet of material is first retarded and then 'accelerated just before reaching the riflies.

The operation as an amalgamator, is as follows: Mercury is fed into. themachine, in suHicient quantity toA fill the grooves, in advance 4of the or'e and the machine rotated by means of the driving pulley. When the mercury shall have entered the grooves the ore is fed-'in from the hopper; it responds to the force and passes upwardly across the surfaces of the bowl and mercury discharging at' the rim. .When used as a separator of solids from liquids, we employ the sheetfor 'imparting the rotary movement of the bowl to the materials under treatment and also for delivering the solids to the central discharge outlet in the bottom of the bowl in cleaning upa charge. When used as 'an amalgamator the sheeting surfaces are employed for scouring the gold; for settling the free. gold to' the bottom of the sand before reaching the mercury zone; for imparting the rotarymovement to the sand before it shall have come' in contact with the mer- .cury whereby the iiouring of the mercury is overcome, and also for' delivering the amalin cleaning up'.

' A. centrifugal bowl or drum, when handling ores, tends to actas a concentrator and arbowl according 'toi their varying specific gravities.` With a magnitude of force ranging lanywhere from Jfifteen to fifty as compared lto gravity, counting gravity as one, and a corresponding friction, the friction of sand on' sand, under conditions where sand is per- I' gnitted to travel over a bed of sand, becomes 'livery great. and causes the accumulation of 'a heavybed over the bowl Walls and merclear liquid at the ing surf-aces together with centrifugal force tion, we employ in combination with a series gam to the central bottom discharge outlet `ranges the materials along the sides of the cury, increasing in depth as the depth of the bowl increases. l/Vhen treating the dry auriferous sands, the magnetic iron lies underneath, the garnet next and the lighter sands above, the iron lying in a compact stationary bed over the side Walls of the bowl and `mercury, which bed revolves at practically the same speed as that' of the inner walls of the bowl. This allows the other materials to skate upwards over the b ed so aste seriously lquicksilver that the entire mass of ore may be impelled to move upwardly slowly over both the sheeting surfaces and the mercury. Unless the overlying bed is overcome the amalgamators as such are inoperative. llt is true the bed of'suliids will catch and retain some gold in the operation but the advantages of the mercury cushion are lost.

. It is as though the side walls of the bowl were wholly of solid metal, the machine hav-4 ing degenerated from an amalgamator to a concentrator.

If a liquid. be fed into a revolving bowl, having perpendicular walls, open at the to the surface of the liquid will take its variab e curve; the surface will approach or depart from the perpendicular as the magnitude of force is increased or diminished, always, however, maintaining its variable curve. lf sand -be fed in it will take its variable curve, differing from the former because of the increase. in friction sheeting'surfaces up tothe point H on such variable curvewhich under the force employed making due allowance for the friction, will cause the sand vt'o Aspread with an easy gentle flow andv free from any acking edect in order that the gold mayfreely settle to the bottom of the sand even asgold settles by gravity on the amalgam platesv so generally in use; after which it-'readily finds its way to the groove. From .ther point H,

owing to the fact that the plane of the liquid' isper endicular to the forceand the further i fact t at the liquid forms the base over which the sand must be passed, the sand can beimpelled to move upwardly only by a crowding effect. This condition is met bythe adjustments as shown in the drawings.A if this crowding eect is allowed to extend from thel riffle downward all along the sides of the bowl, theihigh fo ce produces such a packing V/'e adjust the echoes of the sand as toprevent the gold from being released. It is impossible to obtain the desired result by the use of a straight walled bowl on the one hand, or a semi-spherical curved walled bowl (having a uniform radius) on the other. In case of the former if the inclination is adjusted so that the sand will be raised over that portion of the-:side walls near the bottom of the bowl where the force is ing and rebounding of the sand and gold 8 results in the loss of the gold. In case of the latter the adjustments cannot be made to correspond to the constantly changing force and fr1ction for the uniform diameter gives a curvature that causes the ore to travel too rapidly at the lower portion of the bowl followed. by a packing effect and aA stationary bed of sulds farther up on the sides o f. the bowl, producing the unfavorable condition of sand stated a ove, defeats the amalgamation.

Mercury, a highly sens1tive liquid, and having no afhnity for the sand will retain its place irmly'under a constant force, and will permit sand to pass over it, without yielding, under a gentle upward movement, only when both the sand and mercury shall have acquired the same rotary speed. Instead of subjecting the mercury to two' movements of the material, one movement being upwardly over its surface and the other movement being the movement incident to the fact that the mercury is running away from the material since it is traveling faster than the maf, 'f terial, owing to the fact that the material has `i110 not yet acquired the speed of the bowl, we'.l reduce it to one movement, namely, the up. ward travel of the material over the mercury surface, the material in the meantime having been given'4 by its contact with the sheeting 115 surface the same rotary velocity as the inner surfaces of the bowl and mercury have. Under these I circumstances the material floats upwardly smoothly over the mercury surface resulting in no loss of the mercury. The variably vcurved sheeting surfaces, by virtue of which the radii of the curves of the surface of thebowl may be so regulated with reference to the 'increasing radii of the bowl itself from the bttoin toward the top, that 125 the material may be prevented from traveling upwardly too rapidly or too slowly, enables us to obtain a speed approximately both accurate and uniform, hence we are ableto accomplish results not heretofore obtained,

comlparatively low, it will be thrown vio- 7 assing over afbed of sulfids which as 9 genoss namely, that of passing gold bearing 'sand upwardly, Wet or dry, over liquidmercury as gentlyfiiinder. the influence of the com fwater jets, 4under`pres"s`ure,"when handling'- gold, collecting the gold after scouring in a' groove and the sinking of the coated gold `into the mercury leaving the'` clearl mercury i lowermost groove,

'plied by means of a hose andnozzle",after.A ore feed shall' have been cut off. and'whiletheif bowl isstill rotating,l to clear thebowltof vall -the circumferential grooves.

bined forces of gravity and centrifugal force, as is obtained bypassingasheet of orev and water overamalgamplates .by gravity.` i i As a furtlier'aid in making the separation and in overcomin thelbed of sulfidswe ruse airblast jets, app ied v.1 io.;- the`fsand along ther sheeting surfaces, 'when treatingdry ores and"v ores insolution.` We also'usean. airblast jet/or a 'stream of water underpressureap-g. v e

dirt ordnet, sand and sulfids in ,making clean-ups, then the bowl is stopped,l the amalgam drawn off, the vmercury distilled and the 'gold is ready forthe mint.-

The overlying beddispensed withgandthe loss of the mercury overcome, wel are enabled to obtain the incalculable advantages-"to b e derived from the intensity of' the force, among which are the submerging ofthe float still AeX osed at the surface permitting the most i eal amalgamation:

Having thus described our invention, what we claimis:v e j 1. A centrifugal separatorof the class described, comprising a rotary bowl whose di ameter increases from the bottom toward the top, provided with a number-of interior circumferential grooves adapted to hold a quantity of mercury and expose the mercury surface tothe material iindertreatineii't, the said mercury surface forming a continuation` vof the'innersui'face of the bowl,l the lowermost. groove being located a 'sufficient dis- .tance above the bottom of the bowlto allow the vmaterial .under treatment to acquire y the rotary speed or velocity of the bowl beforeit comes in contact', with the mercury of the the inner surface of the bowl consisting of a number of variably curved retarding surfaces alternating with 2. In a :centrifugal separator, the combination of -a rotary bowl open at the top and having a cone-shaped central part extending upwardly from the bottom thereof a suitable distance, the said bowl increasing in diameter from-thebottoin toward the top, a shaft passing through the'ecenter of the bowl and suitably journaled, the bowl being made fast to the shaft, a hollow feed tube being fast to the upper part of the shaft and open at the top and bottoin, the innersurfaceof the bowl above. the bottom' being provided with cir-- cuiiiferential grooves adapted to contain a quantity of mercury, and forming mercury `zones over 'whichthe material under treat.-

nient passes under the influence of centrifugal force due to the speed of the bowls rotary movement, the/portion ofthe bowl below the 3 lowermost groove being o'f sufficient depth to `'enable the inaterialunder treatment to ac- `qu'ireLtherotary speedof the bowl. before it reaches the lowermost mercury zone, and the ginnervsurface ofthe bowl being provided with 1a' number rof variably curved retarding surfaces .alternating with the circumferential groovesg i 4"3. ,A centrifugal separator comprising .aV i

revoluble bowlwhose radius-increases from the bottom towardthe top',.,the'said bowl be- `ingprovided-,with a series of circumferential '-.grooves formed in .its inner wall, saidv grooves beingadapted to contain liquid mercury, the

innersurface of the bow-l being provided with anuinber'of variably curved retardi'ng sur'- `faces alternating with the .circumferential grooves; 4. Af revoluble bowl whose radius increases from the bottom toward the t'o andprovided on its .inner surface .with a. urality of circumferential grooves suitab y separated, said grooves being adal ted to contain liquid mer cury, the Kwall of t e bowl above the groove/s having n inward projections l provided with rounded surfaces leading upwardly from the bowlspro er, the innery wal of the bowl concentrifugal separator comprising a.

sisting-o a number` of. variably curved retarding surfaces alternating with the circumferential grooves.

revoluble bowl whose radius increases from the bottom toward the to the inner. surface 'of the` bowl being provi ed with circumferential grooves, and having a lip projecting upwardly 'beyond the bottom of each groove, whereby a quantity of mercury is hel in the lower part of the groove when the machine .is at rest, the wall of the bowl being provided tain mercury when the machine is in motion,

tlie bottom of the bowl being provided with an opening to draw off the liquid mercury which escapes from the grooves into the bottom of the bowl when the machine is at rest,

and suitable means'for closing-said opening "in the bottom vof the bowl when the machine is in operation, the inner'wall of the bowl ',nAcentrifugal separator comprising :n.100

being provided with a number 'of variabl curved retarding surfaces alternating wit -the circumferential grooves.

' 7. A* centrifugal separator comprising a revoluble bowl whose radius increases from the bottom toward the top, said bowl be- 4the bottom toward the the materials ing provided with at circumferential groove formed in its inner wall,1the inner surface of the wall of the bowl being provided with a.

number of variably curved retarding surf aces.

9. A centrifugal Vseparator comprising av revoluble bowl whose radius'increases from top, said bowl being provided with a lurality of circumferential grooves formed in its inner wall,` the inner surfaceof the wall of the bowl being provided lwith a number of variably vcurved retarding surfaces.

10. A centrifugal se arator comprising an open-topped rotatable bowlh'aving a variably expanding radius from the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided with a (plu-f ini ward-the top, said bowl being provided with rality of circumferentia grooves forme its inner wall, the said'bowl having such variably curved retarding inner surfaces below and'between the grooves, as will, b the application of the variable force and friction under the variably expanding radius, impel underA treatment to spread in a thin sheet thereon and move upwardly loosely'with an easy gentle flow for the pur'- pose set forth.

11. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatable bowl the bottom toward the top, said bowl bein provided with a plurality of circumferentia grooves formedinits inner wall, means for discharging fluid jets against the inner surface of the-wall of the bowl, comprising a shaft rotating with -the bowl, a box mounted on the shaft to rotate independently thereof, `laterally disposed conduits leading from said box, and means for rotating the Huid-jetdischarge mechanism at a different rate of speed from the travel of the bowl,'including y agear connection between the shaft and the open topped revo uble to ox. 12. A centri'fu al se arator comprising an owl having a variably 'expanding radius from the bottom toward vthe top,

said bowl being provided with a ciry.curnfer'ential groove formed in its inner wall,

said 'groove being adapted to contain liquid mercury, the inner wall below the groove `having such a variably curved surface asl w ill,

.the materials under treatment to spread whose radius increases froml rotatable bowl whose radius by the application of the variable force and friction under the variably expanding radius, iinpel the materials under treatment to spread in a thin sheet on the inner surface of the bowl and -niove upwardly loosely with :n1 easy flow for the purpose set forth, said bowl being of sufficient depth below the groove to impart the rotary movement of the bowl to the materialsunder treatment before reaching said groove, said inner wall below the said groove and in suitable proximity thereto, being provided with variably curved retarding surfaces.

13. 'A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable bowl whose radius increases from the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided with a circumferential groove formed in its inner wall, the inner surface of the wall of the bowl being variably curved, a centrally located shaft to. which 'the howl is made fast, means ap lied to the shaft for rotating the bowl, iuidpjet delivery mechanism mounted on the said shaft and arranged to discharge upon the inner wall of tliebowl,

and a gearing connection between the shaft Operating meansandthe said mechanism, wiereby the latter rotates at a di`erent speed from the shaft and bowl, substantially as described.

- 14. A centrifugal separator comprising an opentopped revoluble bowl having a variaA ly expanding radius from the bottom toa circumferential Groove formed in 'its inner wall, theinner WallI below said groove having such a variably curved surface as will by the application of the variableforce and friction under the variably expanding radius, impcl lll Il, thin sheet upon the inner wall of the howl and move upwardly thereon loosely with an I easy flow for the purpose'stated, said bowl being of sufficient depth below the groove to impart the rotary movement of the bowl to the materials under treatment ybefore reaching said groove, andsaid inner wall below said groove and yin suitable proximity thereto being provided with variably curved retarding surfaces. l

l5. A centrifd al separator comprising a revoluble bowl odioso radius increases from the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided with a circumferential groove formed in its inner wall, the inner surface of the .wall of the bowl being variably curved for retarding purposes, and means for lischargin fluid jets against the inner wall o.' the bow for the purpose set forth.

16. A centrifugal separator, comprising a increases from the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided with a circumferential groove tlie wall of the bowl being variably curved for retarding purposes, a centrally located Cri -formed Ain its inner wall, the inner surface of i provided with circumferential grooves formed y in its inner wall, the inner'surface of the wall. of the bowl being provided .with variably,

I latter beingl open at the top' to discharge into genoss,

suitably mounted on :the shaft'for discharging fluid jets against the-inner wall of the bowl, substantially as described. 17. A centrifugal separator,.comprising a rotatable bowl whose radius `increasesfrom the bottom toward .the top, said bowl being rovided with a circumferential. groove formed in its inner wall,' the inner :surface of the wall of the bowl being variably 4curved for retarding purposes, land fluid jetdelivery mechanism mounted torota'te with'the bowl Y'andV arranged to discharge upon 'the'in-nern 'l 4surface of tliewall of the bowl being provided wallthereof. A e e., 18. A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable bowl whose radius increases .from l the bottom toward thetop, the said bowl be? e shaft, a conduit passing through the shaft 'forA delivering air to-saidbox, laterally projecting .j c.

ing provided with a circumferential groove formed 1n its 1nner wall, the inner surface of the wallY of the ybowl beinfrvariably curved fluid jet' delivery,l mechanism mounted toro'tate and arranged todischarge upon the inner wallthereof.v

for retarding purposes',

19.4 A centrifugal separator, comprising revolnblebowl whose radius increases lfrom the bottom toward the top,vsaidbowl being curved retarding surfaces, fluid jetdelivery mechanism mounted to rotate `and arranged l. to ldischargeupon the inner surface of'fthel bowl, ,and a vcasing surrounding thebowl, the

the casing, and the casing being provided v, with an exhaust outlet, substantiallyasdeff scribed.

20. A centrifugal separator, comprisingrevoluble bowl having an enameled surface,

theradius of the bowlincreasing from thebottom toward the top, said bowl. being proaV vided with a circumferential groove formedin its inner wall, said groove being 'adapted to' contain mercury, the inner surface of thev wall of the bowl below the roove and in proximity .thereto being varia, ly curvedfor e the pur ose set forth.

' 21, f centrifugal separator ,i comprising a revoluble bowl having an enameled inner surfa'ce and whose radius increases from the bot- Vtorn toward .the top, saidi bowlbeing4 pro.'- vided with acircumferential groove formed in its inner wall', the inner surface of the wall of the bowl being variably curved for the` ,purposesetfortlr 22'. A centrifugalzseparator, comprising a `revoluble bowl'having an enameled surface and whose radius increases from'the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided vwith a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in its inner-wallythc inner lsurface of the wall of the bowl being variably curved for the purpose set forth.'

23. A centrifugalseparator,comprising a rotatable bowl havingan `enameled surface fand whose radius increases from the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided with a plurality offcircumferential grooves formed in its inner wall, the inner surface of the wall of the bowl being variably curved forretarding purposes,-and means for discharging fluid jets againstthe inner. surface of the wall'of the bowl.'

924.` Alcentrifugal separator, comprising 'a rotatablebowl whose radius increases from the bottom towardthe top, said bowl being .provided with. a plurality .o f circumferential i grooves nformed in its inner wall, the inner with anuinber of variably curved retarding vwith the bowl, an air boxmounted onthe lgam maybe dischargedjor removed while cleaning up. *y 4, f .e r

26. A centrifugal separator, comprismg a A 'rovided' with a circumferential groove thewall of; the bowl beingvariably curved for re'tarding purposes, a hollow open-ended shaft passing through `the bottom of thebowl having an openingat the lower interior part of the bowl through which the material may be fed to `the-latter for treatment and also through which the amalgam may be passed while cleaning up. l

27. A. centrifugal separator, comprising a revoluble bowl whoseradius increases from the bottom toward the to the said bowl being provided with a plura ity of circumferential grooves formed in its inner wall, the inner surface of the wall of the bowl being variably ing provided at the bottom with a valve-controlled discharge opening, described.v

28. A centrifugal separator, comprising a revoluble bowl whose radius increases from thebottom toward the top, said bowl being provided withv arplurality ofpcircumferential grooves formed in its inner wall, the inner surface of the wall of the bowl being variably surfaces, acentral shaft .connected to rotate rotatable bowl whose radius' `:increases fromy thebettom toward the top, said bowl being to the discharge openingvthrough the shaft.

curved for retarding purposes, the bowl be.

sage of the'material, said bowl having an voutlet at the bottom through' which the' amal ormed in; its innerwall, ythe inner surface` of rand rotating with. theI latter, the said shaft substantially as curve, for retarding purposes, a hollow openended shaft passing through the bowl and rotating therewith7 the said shaft having an opening at the bottom of the bowl through which the material lfed downwardly through the shaft may pass to the bowl, and also through which the material may be discharged from the boWl while cleaning up, and a valve'for controllingthe passage of the ina-'1 terial from the bowl'to the hollow shaft.-

29.- A centrifugal separator comprising a revoluble vbowl Whose radius increases from the bottom toward the top, said bowl being provided with a circumferential groove formed in' its inner Wall, the inner surface of the wall off the bowl being variably curved ocioso below the groove to retard the u ward passage of the material, and a Vertica ly reciprocating scraper projecting into the bowl for removing the accumulated material from the said groove, substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof we alix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK K. ATKNS. EARL F. ATKINS.

Vl/'itnesses for Frank Atkins:

' DENA NELSON, A. J. OBRIEN.

Witnesses for Earl F. Atkins:

J. A. DAvIsoN, HERBERT REEVES. 

